BiblioNu

What BiblioNu does

BiblioNu (legal entity: Stichting BiblioNu) is a Dutch non-profit public library foundation founded in 2007 and headquartered in Venray, Netherlands. It operates as the designated public library for the municipalities of Horst aan de Maas and Venray in the province of Limburg, providing services under the Wet stelsel openbare bibliotheekvoorzieningen (Public Library Facilities Act). The organization employs between 11 and 50 staff across two physical branches — a headquarters in Venray (Gouden Leeuwpad 3) and a regional branch in Horst aan de Maas (Gasthuisstraat 25) — plus digital channels including the Bibliotheek Wise mobile app and a web-based catalog hosted on the HostedWise Wise library management system.

BiblioNu positions itself as a 'huis van ontwikkeling' (development house) organized around three programmatic themes: Taal (Language), Digitaal (Digital), and Mens & Samenleving (People & Society). Core offerings include physical and digital lending (books, e-books, audiobooks) accessed via the Wise catalog and Koninklijke Bibliotheek's onlinebibliotheek.nl; free public computer, WiFi, and printing services; creative workshops under the Maakplaats umbrella; a Spreekuur Digitaal Advies (digital advice clinic); Taalcafé language practice sessions; an Informatiepunt Digitale Overheid (IDO) government-services assistance point; and home-delivery services (Bibliotheek aan Huis). Since July 2025, members have received free access to more than 150 online courses via Soofos and SkillsTown covering digital skills, AI, health, and personal development, with AI-literacy programming (including an AI-comic workshop) expanding the portfolio through 2026. The organization produces a local podcast, 'Lokaal Verhaal,' and runs over 100 activities annually.

The business model is dominated by public funding: municipal grants from Gemeente Venray and Gemeente Horst aan de Maas, supplemented by Provincie Limburg support for low-income memberships. Commercial revenue is ancillary — adult memberships at €48 per year (free for ages 0-18 and for low-income residents), replacement passes (€2.50), overdue fees (€0.20-€0.75 per day), pay-as-you-go computer access (€0.50 per half hour for non-members), printing and copying (€0.05-€1.00 per page), and venue rental at the Venray branch. The organization holds ANBI status, CBCT certification valid through December 2030, the Nationaal Keurmerk Mediawijsheid, and the NOV Keurmerk for volunteer management, and is governed by a Raad van Toezicht (supervisory board) chaired by Jan van Berlo with Fons Steggink serving as directeur-bestuurder since February 2020.

Name

BiblioNu

Legal name

Stichting BiblioNu

Website

https://biblionu.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BiblioNu (Stichting BiblioNu) is a Dutch non-profit public library foundation serving the municipalities of Horst aan de Maas and Venray in Limburg, Netherlands, providing book lending, digital services, community programs, and free online courses to all residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921)

akta.pro primary industry

Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Community development programs
• Digital literacy education
• Reading and learning resources
• Municipal cultural services

Headquarters

HQ city

Venray

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees for borrowing privileges. Adults pay €48 per year for access to physical books, e-books, and audiobooks. Children 0-18 years receive free membership. Additional income from replacement passes (€2.50) and overdue fees (€0.20-0.75 per day)
2. Public Funding and Subsidies: Core funding from municipalities of Horst aan de Maas and Venray for providing public library services under the Wet stelsel openbare bibliotheekvoorzieningen (Public Library Facilities Act)
3. Space Rental and Venue Services: Rental of library spaces in Venray for events and banquets
4. Computer and Print Services: Fees for computer use (€0.50 per half hour for non-members), printing (€0.05-€1.00 per page), and copying services

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BiblioNu is a Dutch public library foundation (Stichting) that provides physical and digital library collections (books, e-books, audiobooks), community development programs, digital literacy training, language learning support, and educational activities for residents of the municipalities of Horst aan de Maas and Venray in Limburg province. The organization operates two physical library branches, an online catalog, a mobile app, free online courses, and a wide range of community programs focused on three themes: Language, Digital, and People & Society.

Product overview

BiblioNu operates as a public library system serving the municipalities of Horst aan de Maas and Venray in the Netherlands. The organization provides a comprehensive suite of library and community services centered around three core themes: Taal (Language), Digitaal (Digital), and Mens & Samenleving (People & Society). The core offering includes physical book lending, e-books, and audiobooks accessible through the Bibliotheek Wise App and online platforms. BiblioNu extends its services through digital learning via over 150 online courses (Soofos and SkillsTown), the Lokaal Verhaal podcast, creative Maakplaats workshops, and community programs including language cafés, digital advice clinics, and government services assistance. The organization operates two physical locations with public computers, printing services, and workspace facilities, while maintaining an active events calendar featuring lectures, workshops, and seasonal activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Library Membership (Abonnement) Annual library subscription granting borrowing privileges for physical books, e-books, and audiobooks across the Wise catalog; adults €48/year, free for ages 0-18 and for qualifying low-income residents.
• Online Cursussen (Online Courses via Soofos and SkillsTown) Free online learning platform providing 150+ courses in digital skills, AI, online security, communication, leadership, health, nutrition, language, creativity, and sustainability, accessible to library members via single sign-on.
• Bibliotheek Wise App Mobile application for iOS and Android allowing members to browse the catalog, reserve and renew materials, manage family accounts through 'Relaties', and view notifications.
• Lokaal Verhaal (Local Podcast) Local podcast series featuring conversations with residents from Venray and Horst aan de Maas, distributed on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
• Maakplaats (Maker Place Workshops) Series of creative workshops for children and families including AI-assisted comic creation, word hunts, ceramics painting, and miniature photography activities.
• Spreekuur Digitaal Advies (Digital Advice Clinic) Free volunteer-supported digital assistance service for questions about smartphones, tablets, laptops, and e-readers, offered on the first and third Monday of each month.
• Computers & Printers Service Public computer access with Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and internet plus printing and copying services. Computer use €0.50 per half hour for non-members; printing €0.05–€1.00 per page.
• Taalcafé (Language Café) Casual conversation sessions for non-native speakers and others wanting to improve Dutch language skills, hosted by an in-house taaldocent.
• Informatiepunt Digitale Overheid (IDO) Government digital services helpdesk providing free support with DigiD, taxes, benefits, driver's licenses, healthcare, and other government e-services.
• Gratis Bibliotheekpas (Free Library Card for Minima) Free library membership program for residents of Horst aan de Maas and Venray with limited income, supported by Provincie Limburg and municipal partners, including book lending, e-books, audiobooks, digital resources, and access to courses.
• Leescafé (Reading Café) Café within the library offering coffee, tea, and lunch; serves as a community meeting and workspace for reading, conversation, and relaxation.
• Bibliotheek aan Huis (Library at Home) Home delivery service bringing library materials to residents who cannot visit the library in person, ensuring continued reading access for housebound individuals.
• Verhuur Bibliotheekruimte Venray (Library Space Rental) Rental of library spaces at the Venray location for events, banquets, and meetings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free membership for all youth (0-18) and low-income residents
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• SoofoscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 July 2025Online learning platform providing over 150 free courses to library members covering topics like health, nutrition, language, creativity, sustainability, and personal development. Members log in using their library credentials.
• SkillsTowncoreTechnology or Integration · 1 July 2025Online learning platform offering digital skills, AI, and professional development courses to library members via single sign-on with library credentials.
• Koninklijke BibliotheekcoreTechnology or IntegrationNational library partnership enabling access to e-books through onlinebibliotheek.nl and bibliotheek.nl. BiblioNu shares limited membership data with the Koninklijke Bibliotheek to enable member recognition across national digital services.
• Cubiss (Provinciale Ondersteuningsinstelling)coreTechnology or IntegrationProvincial support organization providing and maintaining the Wise library management software system used for member administration, transactions, and collection management.
• Provincie LimburgmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial government partner supporting free membership programs for low-income residents (minima) and overall library operations in Limburg province.
• Gemeente VenraymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner providing funding and support for library services in Venray, including the free membership program for residents with limited income.
• Gemeente Horst aan de MaasmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner providing funding and support for library services in Horst aan de Maas, including the free membership program for residents with limited income.
• Venrays Informatie Punt (VIP) ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with MEE de Meent Groep, Gemeente Venray, Match, GGZ, and Synthese to provide free social information and assistance services at the library.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Bibliotheek Eindhoven: Dutch regional public library offering lending, learning, and community programs in Eindhoven. Closely comparable in function and structure to BiblioNu; notably, BiblioNu's director Fons Steggink previously held a leadership role here, reinforcing the operational similarity.
• Bibliotheek Arnhem: Regional Dutch public library providing physical lending, educational programming, and community development services. Directly comparable regional public library foundation with similar target audiences and statutory role.
• Bibliotheek Nijmegen: Dutch municipal public library offering lending, learning programs, and community services in the Nijmegen region. Comparable non-profit foundation model with overlapping mission around literacy and digital inclusion.

Broad incumbents

• Bibliotheek Rotterdam: Major Dutch public library system serving Rotterdam with lending, education, and community programming. Comparable statutory role and value proposition but operating at significantly larger scale than BiblioNu.
• Bibliotheek Den Haag: Public library serving The Hague with extensive collections, programming, and digital services. Comparable Dutch public library foundation offering overlapping lending, education, and community services.
• Bibliotheek Utrecht: Dutch public library serving Utrecht and surrounding municipalities with lending, learning programs, and community engagement. Comparable foundation structure and statutory role, but at larger scale.
• OBA (Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam): Largest Dutch public library system, serving Amsterdam with extensive physical branches, programming, and digital services. Overlapping function with BiblioNu but at materially larger scale and broader geographic scope.

Others

• Probiblio: Provincial support organization for public libraries in North Holland. Adjacent rather than directly competitive; provides shared services, advocacy, and innovation support that mirror Cubiss's role for BiblioNu.
• Cubiss: Provincial support organization for public libraries in Brabant and Limburg, and a strategic partner of BiblioNu. Provides the Wise library management platform and shared services infrastructure that BiblioNu depends on.
• Koninklijke Bibliotheek: National library of the Netherlands and strategic partner of BiblioNu. Provides e-book lending infrastructure (onlinebibliotheek.nl) and national digital services that BiblioNu extends to its members.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/biblionu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/biblionu
• Instagraminstagram.com/biblionu
• Xx.com/BiblioNu

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BiblioNu